Jacksonville Sharks head coach Les Moss, right, gives his quarterback Bernard Morris, (14), the play in the first half as the Jacksonville Sharks take on the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League American Conference Divisional playoff game on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena Saturday night August 3, 2013.

Jacksonville Sharks Information

The intense rivalry between the Jacksonville Sharks and Orlando Predators reached a zenith Wednesday when Bernard Morris was activated by Orlando in time for Saturday night’s game at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Morris, the starter for the past two seasons for the Sharks, was one of three players traded to the Predators in the offseason for quarterback Aaron Garcia.

None of the three players reported to Orlando, and Garcia didn’t get to the Sharks until the fourth week of the regular season. When Garcia finally decided to report, the Predators demanded more compensation because the original three players — Morris, offensive lineman Trevis Turner and defensive lineman Matt Marcorelle — didn’t show up.

Garcia was with Jacksonville for two games before leaving again. He’s since been traded to the Los Angeles Kiss.

In return, the Sharks got defensive lineman James McClinton and the future rights to wide receiver Chris Summers and defensive back George Baker.

Now that Morris is with Orlando, the Sharks pressed the Arena Football League to dissolve the entire trade. When that didn’t work, Bouchy said he asked the league to force the Predators to return Belton. The AFL refused that, too.

The teams have a long-standing rivalry. Bouchy once paid for billboards in Orlando calling it a “Mickey Mouse town,” and the Predators responded by putting up billboards in Jacksonville calling it a redneck town.

Orlando used to be owned by Brett Bouchy, Jeff Bouchy’s brother. Brett Bouchy left the team last year and is the majority owner of the new Kiss franchise.

The AFL assumed control of the Predators, once the anchor of the entire league, this week as new owner David Pearsall walked away a few weeks ago.

As far as Bouchy is concerned, he wants to kick Orlando while it’s down.

“If we’re up by 28 at the end of the game, I hope we go long and try to score again,” he said. “They put more fuel on the fire this week. Now it’s personal.”